Sept. 8, 2006
VERONA, Wis.- For the first time since finishing sixth at the Conference USA Championships last April, the University of Memphis women's golf team will be back in action this Sunday when they head north to Wisconsin for the 2006 Badger Women's Golf Invitational.
The Lady Tigers will feature a lineup of senior Stacey Tate, junior Dawn-Marie Conaty, senior Kathryn O'Rourke, sophomore Rachel Larson and senior Cameron Barber.
"Every one on the team has worked really hard these past two weeks and are going into this first tournament with great attitudes," head coach Jenny Bruun said. "The team has set some outstanding goals for this season and I can't wait to get started."
The Lady Tigers' confidence is high entering the first tournament of the year after strong summer performances by a number of golfers.
O'Rourke won the Duchess County Amateur, advanced to the championship flight of the New York State Amateur and qualified for the USGA Public Links.
Conaty participated in the Irish Open Stroke Play Championship, and the SAAB International Juniors tournament.
Larson advanced to the U.S. Open Sectional Qulaifier, and Tate advanced to the first round of match play at the U.S. Women's Public Links and qualified for the U.S. Women's Amateur en route to being named one of Golf World Magazine's Top 50 Female Golfers to Watch.
Cameron Barber returns to the lineup after undergoing neck surgery last May.
"My top four kids all had great tournaments this summer, and Cameron has gotten better every day coming back from surgery. The group going up there with me, judging by the way they've played in qualifying, I believe has a legitimate chance to win," Bruun said. "We're facing a very tough field, so we'll have to play extremely well to do so."
This weekend's 11-team field includes five programs in Golfweek Magazine's top 80. Nebraska, an NCAA Tournament contender last spring, and East Region rival Louisville will provide good competition early on for the Tigers.
"There's a lot of really good competition at this first tournament. Nebraska has a lot of returning talent, and it will be great to see a team from the East Region like Louisville so early on," Bruun said. "I am very confident with the five players I'm bringing to this first event, and I am really looking forward to seeing how we compete this weekend."
Play begins with 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. shotgun starts on Sunday. Monday's final round is set to tee off at 8:00 a.m. Live scoring of the Badger Women's Golf Invitational will be available online at www.golfstat.com.
